NL Central

NL West

Now Commenting On:

Webb replaces Fuentes on NL team

Webb replaces Fuentes on NL team

Email

Print

By Mark Schmetzer
/
Special to MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- Brandon Webb won't be going to San Diego after all.

The Arizona right-hander instead will be making his second consecutive trip to the All-Star Game. Webb (8-6), who started Saturday against the Reds in Cincinnati, was named to replace injured Colorado left-hander Brian Fuentes on the National League team for the 78th annual game Tuesday at San Francisco's AT&T Park. Fuentes is sidelined with a strained back muscle.

"I'm excited," Webb said after starting and coming out with no-decision in Arizona's 5-4 loss at Cincinnati on Saturday. "It's my second All-Star Game, so I'm definitely excited about that. It'll mean changing some plans. Any way you can get in, that's all I care about."

Arizona manager Bob Melvin couldn't agree that Webb would have been "slighted" by not making the team.

"There are several guys out there every year who deserve to go and don't," Melvin said. "[Diamondbacks outfielder] Eric Byrnes is another one. [Webb] is one of those guys who definitely deserved to go. His record probably would be a lot better if we'd gotten him some run support. I had him going."

Webb, who had planned to take his family to San Diego during the annual break, was one of five finalists in voting by fans in the Monster 2007 All-Star Final Vote for the last available spot on the NL team. San Diego's Chris Young won that balloting.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner pitched a hitless inning with one strikeout in last year's All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.

Mark Schmetzer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.